SULE SKERRY AND ITS BIRD-VISITORS 289 



relating to the appearance of this bird in the schedules, 

 but Mr Tomison mentions that Jackdaws, along with 

 Rooks and Grey Crows, are sometimes driven out of 

 their course by south-east winds in spring. 



Sturnus vulgaris, Stai^mg. — There is no evidence 

 that Starlings on passage visit the island, which is a 

 somewhat remarkable fact. A few appear irregularly 

 during most months of the year, twelve being the 

 largest number observed on any occasion. 



Fringilla ccelebs. Chaffinch. — This bird is not a 

 regular visitor during the passage seasons. A few have 

 appeared late in March, during April, and early May, 

 and again in October and November. 



Fringilla montifringilla, Brambling, — This species 

 is quite an uncommon visitor. It has been known to 

 appear on three occasions in spring, at dates ranging 

 from 29th April to 29th May. On the night of 5th 

 October 1906, several appeared at the lantern, and 

 next morning forty were observed on the island — the 

 only records for autumn. 



Chloris chloris. Greenfinch. — There is one record 

 only, namely, the visit of twelve birds on 4th November 

 1906. 



AcANTHis flavirostris, Tzvite. — There are no data 

 in the schedules, but Mr Tomison says that it is most 

 commonly seen in April and May, sometimes in large 

 flocks, which remain for a few days. Small numbers 

 appear in August and September and occasionally in 

 November. 



Acanthis linaria, Mealy Redpoll. — Redpolls are 

 recorded as having visited the Skerry on several 

 occasions in autumn, and at dates ranging from 15th 

 September to 5th November. In some instances 



II. T 



